Wednesday, April 9 - Afternoon

This afternoon we visited the Chimoio Day Hospital. This visit really took a toll on all of us. We first spent time with the doctors as they explained what has been going on in the hospital and the new plans for an expanded wing. Next, they led us on a tour of the hospital. I think this tour was more difficult for a number of reasons, in that, the patients were more visibly sick and this really was the culminating experience. I know personally, I was getting frustrated that we weren't able to do more. I felt a bit like a voyeur. We were watching but not helping. With all the need out there is seemed like a waste to not be getting in there with both hands, ready to work. I wanted to clean something or hold someone, help file, basically just something tangible. All these thoughts and emotions were going through my head, when the doctor asked if we would like to walk through the Pediatric AIDS ward. At first, most of our group declined and the doctor looked upset. This appeared to be a case of mixed cultural signals. Those declining felt that was the proper thing to do so as not to disturb the patients. The doctor felt that they were declining because they didn't want to be bothered to see. After a few hesitating moments, it was decided that we would view the ward. Everyone was quiet and cautious as we walked through. The patients and parents simply stared at us. To the FTSE folks, it was a disheartening experience. It just seemed like we weren't doing enough. But the doctor, and later the UNICEF staff, tried to change our perception. The children we saw in the ward were the success story. As sick as they are, they are in the hospital receiving treatment. There are thousands more cases that are being left untreated in villages around the country. The education that FTSE is sponsoring will help bring more to treatment. They also couldn't stress how important it was for us to see, and be able to bring their stories back home. Deep awareness around the globe is what they are desperately hoping for, they believe the more that see and learn, the more who will help. As Patricia said on our last day, "There's hope in Mozambique, there's hope in Africa." And we are part of that change and that hope.